COBALT-CATALYZED SYNTHESIS OF α-ARYLPROPIONIC AND DIARYLACETIC ACIDS

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(85)87178-3

The cobalt-catalyzed carbonylation of ArCH(R)X (R=CH3, C6H5; X=Cl, Br) in alcoholic solvents under atmospheric pressure of CO is reported.Selective, high yield synthesis of the corresponding acids ArCH(R)COOH can be achieved within a very narrow range of experimental conditions by controlling kinetically the reversible interconversion of intermediate aryl and alkylcobalt complexes.The important roles of the base and of the alcoholic medium are briefly discussed.